The Chula Vista Genealogical Society August 5th Saturday Workshop will be at 1 p.m. in the Community Room at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902).
The program will be Randy Seaver presenting the yearly "RootsMagic Review."
This year the review will include the new RootsMagic features of TreeShare with an Ancestry Member Tree, and Ancestry.com WebHints. Randy will also highlight other RootsMagic features, and will answer questions from the attendees.
RootsMagic has been updated to Version 7.5.2 - the update is free to owners of Version 7. TreeShare and Ancestry WebHints work only with Version 7.5.2. Users can upload their RootsMagic database to a new Ancestry Member Tree, or download an existing Ancestry Member Tree to a new RootsMagic database. If a user has an Ancestry subscription, then they can use the Ancestry.com WebHints feature in RootsMagic.
This event is FREE to attend. Please register to attend this workshop on the CVGS web page -- www.CVGenealogy.org -- on the Events tab so that we can plan for seating, handouts and refreshments.
If you plan to attend, please bring your laptop with RootsMagic 7.5.2 installed, and be there before 1 p.m. so that you can get connected to the Library wi-fi before the workshop begins.
Showing posts with label Genealogy Software. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Genealogy Software. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
CVGS Saturday Workshop (3 September 2016) is "Family Tree Maker Review"
The September 3rd Chula Vista Genealogical Society Saturday Workshop at Bonita-Sunnyside Library Community Room (4375 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902) starts at 1 p.m. PDT.
The workshop will be "Family Tree Maker Review" Presented by CVGS member Ken Robison.
If you use Family Tree Maker. or want to learn more about this awesome program, it is highly suggested you attend this event.
Please bring your laptops with Family Tree Maker installed so you can follow along. If you have a specific question on FTM or want a specific topic covered, please let Ken know at:
kenrobison66@gmail.com
Please register for this event if you plan to attend so we may better prepare the venue. More information and online registration: Chula Vista Genealogical Society Saturday Workshop
The workshop will be "Family Tree Maker Review" Presented by CVGS member Ken Robison.
If you use Family Tree Maker. or want to learn more about this awesome program, it is highly suggested you attend this event.
Please bring your laptops with Family Tree Maker installed so you can follow along. If you have a specific question on FTM or want a specific topic covered, please let Ken know at:
kenrobison66@gmail.com
Please register for this event if you plan to attend so we may better prepare the venue. More information and online registration: Chula Vista Genealogical Society Saturday Workshop
Wednesday, August 3, 2016
August 6th Saturday Workshop -- RootsMagic Review
The August 6th Saturday Workshop will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Community Room at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road).
The subject will be “RootsMagic 7 Review” with Randy Seaver. Please bring your laptops with RootsMagic installed so you can follow along. If you want a specific topic covered, please let Randy know at rjseaver@cox.net.
The subject will be “RootsMagic 7 Review” with Randy Seaver. Please bring your laptops with RootsMagic installed so you can follow along. If you want a specific topic covered, please let Randy know at rjseaver@cox.net.
Monday, February 29, 2016
"GEDCOM Files" CVGS Sunday Workshop – 6 March 2016
The March 6th (a Sunday!) Workshop will be from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. In the Community Room at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road). The subject will be “GEDCOM Files” led by Shirley Becker and Gary Brock. Bring your laptops with your genealogy desktop software installed and practice exporting and importing GEDCOM files. You may want to bring a thumb drive also.
Please register for this event on the CVGS website - CVGenealogy.org so we can plan refreshments and seating.
Please register for this event on the CVGS website - CVGenealogy.org so we can plan refreshments and seating.
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
October 3rd Saturday Workshop is on "Family Tree Maker 2014"
The Saturday, October 3rd Workshop at Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) is in the Community Room from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The workshop will be on “Family Tree Maker 2014” led by Ken Robison.
Bring your laptops with Family Tree Maker installed and a working database available. Ken will review the features of Family Tree Maker 2014 and will answer questions concerning the program.
Friday, August 14, 2015
August 12th CVGS Research Group Review
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Research Group meeting on August 12th had 20 attendees.
In the first hour, Randy discussed:
* RootsMagic 7 users should upgrade to Version 7.0.7.0 in order to access the FamilySearch Family Tree.
* Family Tree Maker 2014 users should upgrade to Build 404 or 1404, a required update.
* Check out The Family History Guide for computer, genealogy and family history tutorials (www.TheFHGuide.com).
* Ancestry.com added the Social Security Applications and Claims database in July - this database includes parents names and applicant name changes for 49 million deceased applicants (this database does not have all Social security applicants).
* www.Findmypast.com is a commercial genealogy database and family tree website, featuring records in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The family tree has Record Hints for persons in an isolated family tree.
* When was the William Sever Mansion house in Kingston, Mass. built? This was Randy's research goal in July after receiving an inquiry from the house's present owner. He found land records, probate records, and 1935 era WPA survey records that show the house location, grounds, photographs and floor plan, but could not determine an exact year of the building. It's in the 1760 to 1770 time frame.
In the second hour, several attendees shared their research challenges and successes, including:
* Shirley used the New York Marriage Records collection on FamilySearch to search for her parents marriage record. She didn't find it, but did find two other marriages for her father before he married her mother!
* Lorrie has a Beavers ancestor in Virginia who served on the Union side in the Civil War. She has a 23andMe autosomal DNA match with a Beaver ancestor, who has private journals with family information.
* Susi's grandmother's brother is not allowed "in the house", but a descendant of the man on Facebook contacted Susi and she provided family information.
* Karen S.'s mother's family resided in Western Pennsylvania in the 1700s, but she can't find parentage of William Ritchey born in 1784 and resided in Armstrong and Clarion Counties. The group noted that records may be in parent counties, and she should look for Ritchey entries in land, probate, census, military, church records, and county history books.
* Bethel's cousin says their Hooker ancestor was related to the Civil War general and was born in North Carolina. The obituary says he was born in 1787 in South Carolina, died 1873 in Alabama. There way be War of 1812 pension file records on Fold3.
* Carole's grandfather was in one of Gabe Selak's photographs of early San Diego standing by the plaza fountain in 1913, just before the "coldest day ever." The grandfather was an electrical engineer, but she proved he did not install the electrics in the fountain, which were shown to be unsafe, according to the San Diego newspaper (article found on GenealogyBank).
The September 9th Research Group meeting will be at 12 noon in the Conference Room at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street in downtown Chula Vista).
In the first hour, Randy discussed:
* RootsMagic 7 users should upgrade to Version 7.0.7.0 in order to access the FamilySearch Family Tree.
* Family Tree Maker 2014 users should upgrade to Build 404 or 1404, a required update.
* Check out The Family History Guide for computer, genealogy and family history tutorials (www.TheFHGuide.com).
* Ancestry.com added the Social Security Applications and Claims database in July - this database includes parents names and applicant name changes for 49 million deceased applicants (this database does not have all Social security applicants).
* www.Findmypast.com is a commercial genealogy database and family tree website, featuring records in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The family tree has Record Hints for persons in an isolated family tree.
* When was the William Sever Mansion house in Kingston, Mass. built? This was Randy's research goal in July after receiving an inquiry from the house's present owner. He found land records, probate records, and 1935 era WPA survey records that show the house location, grounds, photographs and floor plan, but could not determine an exact year of the building. It's in the 1760 to 1770 time frame.
In the second hour, several attendees shared their research challenges and successes, including:
* Shirley used the New York Marriage Records collection on FamilySearch to search for her parents marriage record. She didn't find it, but did find two other marriages for her father before he married her mother!
* Lorrie has a Beavers ancestor in Virginia who served on the Union side in the Civil War. She has a 23andMe autosomal DNA match with a Beaver ancestor, who has private journals with family information.
* Susi's grandmother's brother is not allowed "in the house", but a descendant of the man on Facebook contacted Susi and she provided family information.
* Karen S.'s mother's family resided in Western Pennsylvania in the 1700s, but she can't find parentage of William Ritchey born in 1784 and resided in Armstrong and Clarion Counties. The group noted that records may be in parent counties, and she should look for Ritchey entries in land, probate, census, military, church records, and county history books.
* Bethel's cousin says their Hooker ancestor was related to the Civil War general and was born in North Carolina. The obituary says he was born in 1787 in South Carolina, died 1873 in Alabama. There way be War of 1812 pension file records on Fold3.
* Carole's grandfather was in one of Gabe Selak's photographs of early San Diego standing by the plaza fountain in 1913, just before the "coldest day ever." The grandfather was an electrical engineer, but she proved he did not install the electrics in the fountain, which were shown to be unsafe, according to the San Diego newspaper (article found on GenealogyBank).
The September 9th Research Group meeting will be at 12 noon in the Conference Room at the Chula Vista Civic Center Branch Library (365 F Street in downtown Chula Vista).
Monday, July 27, 2015
August 1st Saturday Workshop: "RootsMagic Genealogy software"
The Saturday, August 1st Workshop at Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) is in the Community Room from 1 p.m. To 4 p.m.
The workshop will be on “RootsMagic Genealogy Software,” led by Randy Seaver.
RootsMagic is currently in Version 7.0.6.0, and can be used to build a family tree to include names, dates, places, relationships, notes, sources, media, and more. RootsMagic can be used on both Windows and Mac computers. See www.rootsmagic.com for more information about the program. Please bring your laptop computer with RootsMagic installed if possible.
RootsMagic can also interact with the FamilySearch Family Tree to add content to the Family Tree from RootsMagic or to add content to RootsMagic from Family Tree. As of 31 July, users must have the latest version 7.0.6.0 in order to interact with the FamilySearch Family Tree.
This is a FREE program sponsored by the Chula Vista Genealogical Society (see www.cvgenealogy.org). All are welcome.
The workshop will be on “RootsMagic Genealogy Software,” led by Randy Seaver.
RootsMagic is currently in Version 7.0.6.0, and can be used to build a family tree to include names, dates, places, relationships, notes, sources, media, and more. RootsMagic can be used on both Windows and Mac computers. See www.rootsmagic.com for more information about the program. Please bring your laptop computer with RootsMagic installed if possible.
RootsMagic can also interact with the FamilySearch Family Tree to add content to the Family Tree from RootsMagic or to add content to RootsMagic from Family Tree. As of 31 July, users must have the latest version 7.0.6.0 in order to interact with the FamilySearch Family Tree.
This is a FREE program sponsored by the Chula Vista Genealogical Society (see www.cvgenealogy.org). All are welcome.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
June 6th Saturday Workshop is on Reunion Family Tree Software
The June 6th Workshop at Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The topic will be "Reunion Software for Mac Computers" led by CVGS Member Shirley Becker.
Please bring your laptop computers to this meeting. Shirley will share basic software functionality, and answer attendee questions.
Please bring your laptop computers to this meeting. Shirley will share basic software functionality, and answer attendee questions.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
August 9th Workshop on Family Tree Maker
There will be a special August 9th CVGS Workshop at Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. In the Community Room.
Ken Robison will demonstrate and discuss “Family Tree Maker 2014” genealogy software, and answer questions from the July 12th workshop.
Ken Robison will demonstrate and discuss “Family Tree Maker 2014” genealogy software, and answer questions from the July 12th workshop.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
RootsMagic Saturday Workshop on 3 May 2014
The next Chula Vista Genealogical Society RootsMagic 6 workshop is Saturday, 3 May 2014 at 12 noon until 3 p.m. at Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) in the Community Room.
Randy Seaver will lead the discussion of RootsMagic 6, including:
* Summary of program capabilities and navigation
* Demonstration of how to start a new family tree file, including entering basic data, events, notes, sources and media.
* Answer attendee questions about specific functions and capabilities
* Where to find help and answers to your questions.
Attendees should bring their laptops with RootsMagic 6 installed. The latest version of RootsMagic is 6.3.1.0 which was recently provided, and users should have the latest version if possible. Many features in RootsMagic are the same for earlier versions, but some new features are unique to the latest version.
If you are going to attend this workshop, and have a specific question, please email it to Randy at rjseaver@cox.net.
Randy Seaver will lead the discussion of RootsMagic 6, including:
* Summary of program capabilities and navigation
* Demonstration of how to start a new family tree file, including entering basic data, events, notes, sources and media.
* Answer attendee questions about specific functions and capabilities
* Where to find help and answers to your questions.
Attendees should bring their laptops with RootsMagic 6 installed. The latest version of RootsMagic is 6.3.1.0 which was recently provided, and users should have the latest version if possible. Many features in RootsMagic are the same for earlier versions, but some new features are unique to the latest version.
If you are going to attend this workshop, and have a specific question, please email it to Randy at rjseaver@cox.net.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Saturday, August 3 Workshop is "RootsMagic 6 Revisited"
The next CVGS Workshop will be on Saturday, 3 August from 12 noon until 3 p.m. at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) in the Community Room.
Randy Seaver will lead a “RootsMagic 6 Revisited” discussion and demonstration. Topics will include creating Research Logs, creating To-Do Lists, creating a Correspondence list, working with Problem Alerts, the Gazetteer, creating quality source citations, and interfacing with the new FamilySearch Family Tree. There will be a question-and-answer time also.
Bring your laptops with RootsMagic installed (update your version if you haven't already). Note: any version of RootsMagic will work, but only Version 6.3 will have the latest features and be able to access the FamilySearch Family Tree.
If you want to work in FamilySearch Family Tree, be sure that you are a registered user of FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/register/ ) - it's FREE and easy (but you will need to know your login and password information).
Randy Seaver will lead a “RootsMagic 6 Revisited” discussion and demonstration. Topics will include creating Research Logs, creating To-Do Lists, creating a Correspondence list, working with Problem Alerts, the Gazetteer, creating quality source citations, and interfacing with the new FamilySearch Family Tree. There will be a question-and-answer time also.
Bring your laptops with RootsMagic installed (update your version if you haven't already). Note: any version of RootsMagic will work, but only Version 6.3 will have the latest features and be able to access the FamilySearch Family Tree.
If you want to work in FamilySearch Family Tree, be sure that you are a registered user of FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/register/ ) - it's FREE and easy (but you will need to know your login and password information).
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Family Tree Maker 2012 Workshop on Saturday, 5 January
There will be a "Family Tree Maker 2012 Workshop" led by Randy Seaver, sponsored by the Chula Vista Genealogical Society, on Saturday, 5 January from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) in the Community Room.
If you have Family Tree Maker genealogy software, then please bring your laptop or netbook (if you have one) to the workshop and work along with Randy, ask questions, and learn more about using the program. If you don't have Family Tree Maker, but are interested in the subject of genealogy software, please attend to see what a typical program can do to help you with your genealogy organization and research.
The plan for the workshop is to:
1) Provide an overview of Family Tree Maker 2012 menus and the Help function using my own database.
2) Start a new family tree from the beginning.
3) Import a GEDCOM file created from another program or online tree.
4) Demonstrate the items on the list below.
** Using the Help function
5) Answer questions from the group.
If you have Family Tree Maker genealogy software, then please bring your laptop or netbook (if you have one) to the workshop and work along with Randy, ask questions, and learn more about using the program. If you don't have Family Tree Maker, but are interested in the subject of genealogy software, please attend to see what a typical program can do to help you with your genealogy organization and research.
The plan for the workshop is to:
1) Provide an overview of Family Tree Maker 2012 menus and the Help function using my own database.
2) Start a new family tree from the beginning.
3) Import a GEDCOM file created from another program or online tree.
4) Demonstrate the items on the list below.
** Using the Help function
** Using Tools > Options
**
Workspaces (Plan, People, Places, Media, Sources, Publish, Web
Search)
** Importing a GEDCOM file
** Exporting a GEDCOM file
** Importing a GEDCOM file
** Exporting a GEDCOM file
**
Syncing with an Ancestry Member Tree
** Starting a New File
** Starting a New File
**
Adding persons to the Family Tree
** Adding Facts to a Person
** Adding Media to a Person
** Adding Source Citations to Persons or Facts
** Adding Notes to a Person
** Merging Persons Manually
** Deleting a Person or Family
** Attaching or Unlinking a Person from Parents or Spouse
** Rearranging Children or Spouses
** Creating Charts
** Creating Person and Relationship Reports
** Creating Genealogy Reports
** Creating Place, Source and Media Reports
** Adding Facts to a Person
** Adding Media to a Person
** Adding Source Citations to Persons or Facts
** Adding Notes to a Person
** Merging Persons Manually
** Deleting a Person or Family
** Attaching or Unlinking a Person from Parents or Spouse
** Rearranging Children or Spouses
** Creating Charts
** Creating Person and Relationship Reports
** Creating Genealogy Reports
** Creating Place, Source and Media Reports
**
Creating Books
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
CVGS RootsMagic Workshop #2 Summary
The second Chula Vista Genealogical Society RootsMagic 5 Workshop was held on Sunday, 4 November at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library with 14 in attendance, including several guests.
Randy Seaver conducted this workshop, which was a follow-on to the 4 August workshop.
In the first hour, Randy described and explored several of the more advanced features of RootsMagic 5, including:
* The Web Search feature - how to search from within RootsMagic to find records on online sites like Ancestry, FamilySearch, etc. Records found can be downloaded to the user's computer, and added to the Media Gallery.
* The To-Do List - how to create and maintain To-Do items for a person or family (the To-Do button in the Edit Person window), and how to print them out for everyone, for selected persons or for selected repositories (using Reports > Research Reports > To-Do List).
* The Research Manager - how to create and maintain research logs (the Research Log button in the Edit Person window), and how to print them out (using Reports > Research Reports > Research Log).
* Problem Reports - how to find potential errors in your database using Tools > Problem Search > Problem List.
* Media Gallery - how to manage media, including tagging persons and events. Fixing Broken Links was described and demonstrated.
Randy Seaver conducted this workshop, which was a follow-on to the 4 August workshop.
In the first hour, Randy described and explored several of the more advanced features of RootsMagic 5, including:
* The Web Search feature - how to search from within RootsMagic to find records on online sites like Ancestry, FamilySearch, etc. Records found can be downloaded to the user's computer, and added to the Media Gallery.
* The To-Do List - how to create and maintain To-Do items for a person or family (the To-Do button in the Edit Person window), and how to print them out for everyone, for selected persons or for selected repositories (using Reports > Research Reports > To-Do List).
* The Research Manager - how to create and maintain research logs (the Research Log button in the Edit Person window), and how to print them out (using Reports > Research Reports > Research Log).
* Problem Reports - how to find potential errors in your database using Tools > Problem Search > Problem List.
* Media Gallery - how to manage media, including tagging persons and events. Fixing Broken Links was described and demonstrated.
*
Book Publisher - how to create a book about your family,
including media, charts, etc. Randy created a five generation book, including a Cover, Table of Contents, Pedigree Chart, Ahnentafel List, Ancestors Report, Descendants Report, a Scrapbook for one person, and an Index.
In the second hour, Randy answered questions about, and demonstrated the process of, crafting Source Citation templates for vital record certificates and Scottish Old Parish Registers records (from FHL microfilm), and how to change relationships between parents and adopted or step-children.
Another RootsMagic workshop may be scheduled to early 2013.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
CVGS Workshop on Sunday, 4 November: "RootsMagic Workshop 2"
The next CVGS Workshop will be on Sunday, 4 November from 1 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) in the Community Room.
The topic will be ”RootsMagic 5 Workshop – Part 2” led by Randy Seaver. We had the first workshop in August. Many users requested a second workshop devoted to answering questions about using RootsMagic 5 genealogy software on their PC or Mac computers.
* The Web Search feature - how to search from within RootsMagic to find records in online sites like Ancestry, FamilySearch, etc.
* The To-Do List - how to create and maintain To-Do items
* The Research Manager - how to create and maintain research logs
* Problem Reports - how to find potential errors in your database
* Media Gallery - how to manage media, including tagging persons and events
* Book Publisher - how to create a book about your family, including media, charts, etc.
Randy will solicit questions before the workshop, and during the workshop, about using RootsMagic 5. Bring your laptop with RootsMagic 5 installed so you can work along with Randy.
Monday, September 24, 2012
CVGS Fall Seminar Summary - "Show Me Your Roots"
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Fall Seminar was held on Saturday, 22 September 2012, at the bonita-Sunnyside Library. The title of this event was "Show Me Your Roots." There were two sessions with essentially the same planned events - one in the morning (10 AM to 12 noon) and one in the afternoon (1 PM to 3 PM).
The morning session had about 20 CVGS members and 12 non-members in attendance. The non-members ranged from beginners with a pedigree chart to intermediate researchers with some research background.
The morning session had about 20 CVGS members and 12 non-members in attendance. The non-members ranged from beginners with a pedigree chart to intermediate researchers with some research background.
After CVGS President Gary Brock welcomed the attendees, CVGS member Sam Seat made a 30 minute presentation about how to begin and progress in your genealogical and family history research. His points included:
- Buy a computer program for your family tree – Family Tree Maker (Win and Mac), RootsMagic (Win), Legacy Family Tree (Win), Reunion (Mac), MyHeritage (Win).
- There are many online video courses for Beginners and others – check out the FamilySearch courses/videos
- Fill out your pedigree chart – a skeleton of 5 generations of ancestors – with names, dates, and places
- Fill in the blanks on the chart – find records, family, local, repositories, online search
- Use free online searches and record collections such as Google, FamilySearch, USGenWeb, Rootsweb, Find-A-Grave
- Use online commercial subscription sites with record collections such as Ancestry, Archives, Fold3, GenealogyBank, etc.
- Be careful – don't believe everything you see, use “official” records to make sure data indexes and online trees are correct.
- What can you find – birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, census records, city directories, wills/probate records, land records, military records, immigration records, SSDI, cemetery records, etc.
Sam provided some examples from his own research - images of vital record certificates, census records, wills, city directory pages, gravestones, draft registration, website story, etc.
Bonita-Sunnyside Librarian Hielde Kraus provided a short overview of the library genealogy holdings, including Ancestry Library Edition on the Catalog computers, access to local university
libraries with a library card, and the use of Inter-Library Loan to obtain books from other libraries.
At this point, the CVGS Mentors were introduced - Bernice (French-Canada),
Shirley (New York, Reunion), Sam, Randy (New England, RootsMagic), Susi (Mid-Atlantic, New England),
Karen (Norway, Maryland), Bobbie (French Canada,
Bavaria), Ken (Family Tree Maker), and Kevin (MyHeritage).
The plan was to have the mentors help the attendees to fill out their pedigree chart, but all of them had one already started, so the session quickly moved to helping the attendees with their software briefings and research questions.
Shirley, Randy and Ken discussed and demonstrated the programs to several persons. Other attendees had questions concerning genealogical resources and how to attack their research problems, and the CVGS members provided advice and went online using their laptops and mobile devices to find records that might help the attendee.
After lunch, the afternoon session had the same CVGS attendees, and five more C VGS members came to ask questions, see software demonstrations, and for help with their research problems.
Drawings were held after both sessions, with CVGS memberships and donations from local restaurants and attractions as door prizes.
Monday, August 6, 2012
RootsMagic 5 Workshop Review
Randy Seaver
demonstrated the features of the RootsMagic 5 genealogy software
program to 17 CVGS members and friends on Saturday, 4 August at the
Bonita-Sunnyside Library. In the first hour, he methodically
covered the different menu features of the program – the Help,
Internet, Tools, File, Edit, Lists, Add, View, Search and Report
links. He also described the five different Index options and the
six different View Options (Pedigree, Family, Descendants, People,
Web Search and Timeline. This review provided insights into the
completeness and complexity of this program.
In the second
hour, Randy started a new family tree database, and then added
Persons and Facts (names, dates, places, sources, notes, media, etc.)
as he built several families using data from his own family. In
the process, he also described how to add, delete, and merge persons,
and to add, unlink and rearrange spouses and children in a family.
Finally, he showed the wide variety of charts and reports that are
available to RootsMagic 5 users to display and communicate their
research for family, friends, colleagues and other researchers.
RootsMagic 5
is a commercial product at www.rootsmagic.com.
There
are many free webinars available to help persons learn how to use it
at http://www.rootsmagic.com/Webinars/.
The retail price of RootsMagic 5 is $29.95 on their website
(download or CDROM). Susi Pentico has ordered more copies of it for
CVGS members for a reduced price – if you are interested, please
contact her at the meetings or at susicp@cox.net.
Due to the high interest in this
software product, a followup workshop will be scheduled in the
October/November time frame. If
you are interested in attending a followup workshop, please contact
Randy at rjseaver@cox.net.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
RootsMagic 5 Workshop on Saturday, 4 August 2012
There will be a "RootsMagic 5 Workshop" led by Randy Seaver, sponsored by the Chula Vista Genealogical Society, on Saturday, 4 August
from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library (4375 Bonita Road) in the
Community Room.
If you have RootsMagic 5 genealogy software, then please bring your laptop or netbook (if you have one) to the workshop and work along with Randy, ask questions, and learn more about using the program. If you don't have RootsMagic 5, but are interested in the subject of genealogy software, please attend to see what a typical program can do to help you with your genealogy organization and research.
Please note that anyone can download the FREE version of RootsMagic 5 at www.rootsmagic.com (however, the free version does not perform some of the useful features of the program, but can be upgraded for a fee). Susi Pentico had several extra copies of the program and the help book for sale for $20 (this is a good deal, since the program sells retail for $30 and the book sells retail for $20).
My plan for the workshop is to:
1) Provide an overview of RootsMagic 5 menus and the Help function using my own database.
2) Start a new family tree from the beginning.
3) Import a GEDCOM file created from another program or online tree.
4) Demonstrate the items on the list below.
** Using the Help function
** Using File Options
** Using Program Options
** Starting a New File
** Importing a GEDCOM file
** Exporting a GEDCOM file
** Adding persons to the family tree
** Adding Facts to a Person
** Adding Media to a Person
** Adding Source Citations to Persons or Facts
** Adding Notes to a Person
** Merging Persons Manually
** Deleting a Person or Family
** Unlinking a Person from Parents or Spouse
** Rearranging Children or Spouses
** Creating a Pedigree Chart
** Creating a Family Group Sheet
** Creating a Narrative Report
** Creating Charts
** Creating List Reports
5) Answer questions from the group.
I'm sure that the above list will be much more than we can handle during the workshop. We may have to schedule another workshop to get into the ones we missed and some of the more advanced features in RootsMagic 5.
If you have RootsMagic 5 genealogy software, then please bring your laptop or netbook (if you have one) to the workshop and work along with Randy, ask questions, and learn more about using the program. If you don't have RootsMagic 5, but are interested in the subject of genealogy software, please attend to see what a typical program can do to help you with your genealogy organization and research.
Please note that anyone can download the FREE version of RootsMagic 5 at www.rootsmagic.com (however, the free version does not perform some of the useful features of the program, but can be upgraded for a fee). Susi Pentico had several extra copies of the program and the help book for sale for $20 (this is a good deal, since the program sells retail for $30 and the book sells retail for $20).
My plan for the workshop is to:
1) Provide an overview of RootsMagic 5 menus and the Help function using my own database.
2) Start a new family tree from the beginning.
3) Import a GEDCOM file created from another program or online tree.
4) Demonstrate the items on the list below.
** Using the Help function
** Using File Options
** Using Program Options
** Starting a New File
** Importing a GEDCOM file
** Exporting a GEDCOM file
** Adding persons to the family tree
** Adding Facts to a Person
** Adding Media to a Person
** Adding Source Citations to Persons or Facts
** Adding Notes to a Person
** Merging Persons Manually
** Deleting a Person or Family
** Unlinking a Person from Parents or Spouse
** Rearranging Children or Spouses
** Creating a Pedigree Chart
** Creating a Family Group Sheet
** Creating a Narrative Report
** Creating Charts
** Creating List Reports
5) Answer questions from the group.
I'm sure that the above list will be much more than we can handle during the workshop. We may have to schedule another workshop to get into the ones we missed and some of the more advanced features in RootsMagic 5.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
CVGS Research Group Summary - 11 July 2012
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society Research Group meeting on 11 July had 14 enthusiastic attendees.
Randy did not have a presentation, but highlighted some of the local educational opportunities at CVGS and SDGS in the next two months. He also passed around samples of Michael John Neill's Casefile Clues newsletters if people wanted to subscribe.
A question was asked whether it would be better to enter your family tree data into a software program, like RootsMagic, or to enter it into an online family tree, like an Ancestry Member Tree. Randy pointed out that folks can create a free Ancestry Member Tree, and sync it to Family Tree Maker 2012, or download a GEDCOM file of it and import it to their desktop software. A GEDCOM file can be exported from software and imported to many online tree systems. The major difference, in Randy's opinion, is that software does a much better job of creating reports and charts and is easier to navigate.
Diane received a GEDCOM file from her aunt, and merged it into her own tree in RootsMagic, and now has some duplicate people that she is merging. She asked how to make relationships show up in the Family View, and the group said to use Tools > Set Relationships to set the key person. She also asked how she can create a report for the family. The group said to go to Reports > Narrative Reports to create ancestral or descendant reports.
Ralph visited Salt Lake City and the Family History Library on his vacation, and enjoyed two days of research there. He said that his research was "wide but not deep." Ralph recommended asking for help at the FHC immediately to optimize your research time there. He asked about finding the local FamilySearch Centers and using microfilms there. The group discussed the holdings at the Mission Valley FSC and the information available there.
Jaye made some progress on her Robert Murphy problem on a Murphy message board,a local history book, and online Missouri vital records. She asked how to find out about newspaper and probate records for a county, and the group suggested the USGenWeb site for the county and to contact a local genealogical or historical society.
Sue is a new member, overwhelmed by all of the information offered over the past few months. She asked about the 1752 calendar change from Julian to Gregorian in the USA and other places, and the group described the reason and effect of the addition of 11 days to the calendar. Doing online research, she found her great-grandfather on her father's side. She has asked her brother to take a DNA test.
Kitty is stuck on two grandfathers in the 20th century. The group suggested obtaining vital records, and writing to local genealogical or historical societies to see if there is information in local files. She had a hard time registering for the beta trial at MyGenShare.
Dan is a new member, born in Puerto Rico, and has lived in California for 33 years. He has written a book on California's First Puerto Ricans, 1850-1910, and published it as an e-book, but would like a hard copy publisher. The group suggested Tom Underhill's Creative Continuum company.
Pam has been watching the PBS series"History of England" online and enjoying it. She's had success finding her families in the 1940 U.S. Census by finding their address in City Directories on Ancestry.com. Pam donated a book on Indian Abductions and Captures to CVGS recently. She posed a challenge to identify the relationship of the great-grandchild of her first cousin's wife, who was also her great-grandfather's second wife. The group suggested that she listen to I Am My Own Grandpa for guidance. Seriously, we charted it out and she's not blood related to the wife of her cousin, but is a first-cousin once removed to her great-grandchild.
Karen Karen's photo mystery was solved. She found a mailing tube with a large photograph that had no information. She also found a 1992 letter from a relative that provides information about the picture and the family history from Norway to Quebec to Wisconsin to Iowa. Her warning: If you have family photographs, please date it, identify people and places.
Virginia won one hour of research from SCGS at the Jamboree, and during the time they found a living cousin in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania that had information on her Dunlop family.
Sam has found lots of shaky leaf hints on his Ancestry Member Tree and has been busy accepting them and adding the information to his database. He asked how he could create a migration map using Family Tree Maker 2012. The group suggested he read the blog post on the subject on Russ Worthington's Family Tree Maker User blog (http://ftmuser.blogspot.com). Sam is preparing for trips to Tennessee and Europe.
Mary Lou discussed her New York "black hole" and asked how to find probate, land and cemetery records. The group suggested the New York Probate Records that were added by FamilySearch, and are also on microfilm from the Family History Library. For cemetery records, the group suggested using Find-A-Grave online, to look on the USGenWeb county websites, and to contact local libraries or societies in the area.
This was a very full two hours of nonstop discussion and interaction. The next Research Group meeting will be Wednesday, 8 August in the Conference Room in the Chula Vista Civic center Branch Library, hosted by Randy Seaver.
Randy did not have a presentation, but highlighted some of the local educational opportunities at CVGS and SDGS in the next two months. He also passed around samples of Michael John Neill's Casefile Clues newsletters if people wanted to subscribe.
A question was asked whether it would be better to enter your family tree data into a software program, like RootsMagic, or to enter it into an online family tree, like an Ancestry Member Tree. Randy pointed out that folks can create a free Ancestry Member Tree, and sync it to Family Tree Maker 2012, or download a GEDCOM file of it and import it to their desktop software. A GEDCOM file can be exported from software and imported to many online tree systems. The major difference, in Randy's opinion, is that software does a much better job of creating reports and charts and is easier to navigate.
Diane received a GEDCOM file from her aunt, and merged it into her own tree in RootsMagic, and now has some duplicate people that she is merging. She asked how to make relationships show up in the Family View, and the group said to use Tools > Set Relationships to set the key person. She also asked how she can create a report for the family. The group said to go to Reports > Narrative Reports to create ancestral or descendant reports.
Ralph visited Salt Lake City and the Family History Library on his vacation, and enjoyed two days of research there. He said that his research was "wide but not deep." Ralph recommended asking for help at the FHC immediately to optimize your research time there. He asked about finding the local FamilySearch Centers and using microfilms there. The group discussed the holdings at the Mission Valley FSC and the information available there.
Jaye made some progress on her Robert Murphy problem on a Murphy message board,a local history book, and online Missouri vital records. She asked how to find out about newspaper and probate records for a county, and the group suggested the USGenWeb site for the county and to contact a local genealogical or historical society.
Sue is a new member, overwhelmed by all of the information offered over the past few months. She asked about the 1752 calendar change from Julian to Gregorian in the USA and other places, and the group described the reason and effect of the addition of 11 days to the calendar. Doing online research, she found her great-grandfather on her father's side. She has asked her brother to take a DNA test.
Kitty is stuck on two grandfathers in the 20th century. The group suggested obtaining vital records, and writing to local genealogical or historical societies to see if there is information in local files. She had a hard time registering for the beta trial at MyGenShare.
Dan is a new member, born in Puerto Rico, and has lived in California for 33 years. He has written a book on California's First Puerto Ricans, 1850-1910, and published it as an e-book, but would like a hard copy publisher. The group suggested Tom Underhill's Creative Continuum company.
Pam has been watching the PBS series"History of England" online and enjoying it. She's had success finding her families in the 1940 U.S. Census by finding their address in City Directories on Ancestry.com. Pam donated a book on Indian Abductions and Captures to CVGS recently. She posed a challenge to identify the relationship of the great-grandchild of her first cousin's wife, who was also her great-grandfather's second wife. The group suggested that she listen to I Am My Own Grandpa for guidance. Seriously, we charted it out and she's not blood related to the wife of her cousin, but is a first-cousin once removed to her great-grandchild.
Karen Karen's photo mystery was solved. She found a mailing tube with a large photograph that had no information. She also found a 1992 letter from a relative that provides information about the picture and the family history from Norway to Quebec to Wisconsin to Iowa. Her warning: If you have family photographs, please date it, identify people and places.
Virginia won one hour of research from SCGS at the Jamboree, and during the time they found a living cousin in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania that had information on her Dunlop family.
Sam has found lots of shaky leaf hints on his Ancestry Member Tree and has been busy accepting them and adding the information to his database. He asked how he could create a migration map using Family Tree Maker 2012. The group suggested he read the blog post on the subject on Russ Worthington's Family Tree Maker User blog (http://ftmuser.blogspot.com). Sam is preparing for trips to Tennessee and Europe.
Mary Lou discussed her New York "black hole" and asked how to find probate, land and cemetery records. The group suggested the New York Probate Records that were added by FamilySearch, and are also on microfilm from the Family History Library. For cemetery records, the group suggested using Find-A-Grave online, to look on the USGenWeb county websites, and to contact local libraries or societies in the area.
This was a very full two hours of nonstop discussion and interaction. The next Research Group meeting will be Wednesday, 8 August in the Conference Room in the Chula Vista Civic center Branch Library, hosted by Randy Seaver.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
CVGS Research Group Summary - 9 May 2012
We had a great turnout for the Chula Vista Genealogical Society Research Group meeting on Wednesday, 9 May 2012, with 20 enthusiastic attendees ready to ask questions, share and learn.
In the first hour, Randy discussed source citations - types of sources, the need to cite sources, the different style guides including Elizabeth Shown Mills's Evidence! Explained, and how to use source templates in genealogy software to create EE-quality source citation templates. He passed around several articles about source citations, showed the two QuickSheets for EE style citations, and his own "source sheet" with sample citations that can be cut and pasted and edited.
Using Family Tree Maker 2012 (which about 10 attendees had), and RootsMagic 5 (which only 2 attendees had, Randy demonstrated creation of a new master source and using an existing source with his own data in the examples.
In the second hour, we opened it up to sharing for research problems, how-to questions, and success reports. The attendees offered:
* Armando was a visitor, and has Texas heritage from the 1840 time period in the Amarillo area. His family thinks they have Native American ancestry, but he can find very little about his family in this region. The group suggested working his way back in time using vital records and census records, trying to find records that note native ancestry. There may be distant cousins who have family papers, there may be online message boards and forums that can help for with surname or locality queries, and there may be genealogical or historical societies that can provide records or guidance.
* Ralph, a new member, has Mexican ancestry, and has been using the church records on FamilySearch.org to extend his known ancestry back in time. He noted that it is difficult to use these records because they are not indexed, and the user has to know the state and village to find families of interest. The group noted that they are from the FHL microfilms and were even more difficult to access and use in years past. He is also using the Ports of Entry records to find records of his family.
* The group suggested that the FamilySearch Research Wiki (https://wiki.familysearch.org) and Research Forums (https://www.familysearch.org/learn/forums/en/index.php) may be helpful to learn what records are available in specific places and to request help or advice on researching different groups, countries and states.
* Kitty, a new member, obtained the Social Security Application for her grandfather, and has found census records back to 1910, but cannot find anything earlier. The group suggested obtaining vital records for the family members, local newspapers for articles of interest, and using alternative names, including wild cards, on the 1900 and earlier census records on Ancestry and FamilySearch.
* Marie asked about where to find which newspapers were published in a city/town in a specific time frame. Randy noted that the Chronicling America site (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov) has lists of every newspaper published since 1690. Some of them may be available at the Chronicling America site, on GenealogyBank, or Ancestry.com.
* Sam wondered if he was using the FamilySearch results page correctly. He has been clicking the down arrow on the right for each match, then clicking on the link for the match to gain access to the image if there is one. The group indicated that he was doing what needs to be done.
* Bobbie knew the death date and location of a second great-grandparent, but not a burial site. She found an online site that provided the burial site plus a physical description of her ancestor. She is working to prove a second Daughters of the King ancestry, and determined that this is her mitochondrial DNA line. She hopes to attend the 350th Daughters of the King celebration in August 2013 in Quebec.
* Mary Lou found information on Find-a-Grave for her third great-grandparents and two of their sons in Ohio.
* Karyn was reading obituaries, noted a family connection, wrote a letter to the family and planned a get-together.
* Randy noted that two distant cousins with San Diego roots had contacted him in the last two weeks, and he found many articles in the San Diego Union on GenealogyBank from the 1920-1950 time frame about the family.
The next Research Group meeting will be at 12 noon on Wednesday, 13 June in the Computer Lab at the Chula Vista Branch Library.
In the first hour, Randy discussed source citations - types of sources, the need to cite sources, the different style guides including Elizabeth Shown Mills's Evidence! Explained, and how to use source templates in genealogy software to create EE-quality source citation templates. He passed around several articles about source citations, showed the two QuickSheets for EE style citations, and his own "source sheet" with sample citations that can be cut and pasted and edited.
Using Family Tree Maker 2012 (which about 10 attendees had), and RootsMagic 5 (which only 2 attendees had, Randy demonstrated creation of a new master source and using an existing source with his own data in the examples.
In the second hour, we opened it up to sharing for research problems, how-to questions, and success reports. The attendees offered:
* Armando was a visitor, and has Texas heritage from the 1840 time period in the Amarillo area. His family thinks they have Native American ancestry, but he can find very little about his family in this region. The group suggested working his way back in time using vital records and census records, trying to find records that note native ancestry. There may be distant cousins who have family papers, there may be online message boards and forums that can help for with surname or locality queries, and there may be genealogical or historical societies that can provide records or guidance.
* Ralph, a new member, has Mexican ancestry, and has been using the church records on FamilySearch.org to extend his known ancestry back in time. He noted that it is difficult to use these records because they are not indexed, and the user has to know the state and village to find families of interest. The group noted that they are from the FHL microfilms and were even more difficult to access and use in years past. He is also using the Ports of Entry records to find records of his family.
* The group suggested that the FamilySearch Research Wiki (https://wiki.familysearch.org) and Research Forums (https://www.familysearch.org/learn/forums/en/index.php) may be helpful to learn what records are available in specific places and to request help or advice on researching different groups, countries and states.
* Kitty, a new member, obtained the Social Security Application for her grandfather, and has found census records back to 1910, but cannot find anything earlier. The group suggested obtaining vital records for the family members, local newspapers for articles of interest, and using alternative names, including wild cards, on the 1900 and earlier census records on Ancestry and FamilySearch.
* Marie asked about where to find which newspapers were published in a city/town in a specific time frame. Randy noted that the Chronicling America site (http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov) has lists of every newspaper published since 1690. Some of them may be available at the Chronicling America site, on GenealogyBank, or Ancestry.com.
* Sam wondered if he was using the FamilySearch results page correctly. He has been clicking the down arrow on the right for each match, then clicking on the link for the match to gain access to the image if there is one. The group indicated that he was doing what needs to be done.
* Bobbie knew the death date and location of a second great-grandparent, but not a burial site. She found an online site that provided the burial site plus a physical description of her ancestor. She is working to prove a second Daughters of the King ancestry, and determined that this is her mitochondrial DNA line. She hopes to attend the 350th Daughters of the King celebration in August 2013 in Quebec.
* Mary Lou found information on Find-a-Grave for her third great-grandparents and two of their sons in Ohio.
* Karyn was reading obituaries, noted a family connection, wrote a letter to the family and planned a get-together.
* Randy noted that two distant cousins with San Diego roots had contacted him in the last two weeks, and he found many articles in the San Diego Union on GenealogyBank from the 1920-1950 time frame about the family.
The next Research Group meeting will be at 12 noon on Wednesday, 13 June in the Computer Lab at the Chula Vista Branch Library.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Saturday Workshop Summary - "Maximizing Ancestry.com"
CVGS member Myrna Goodwin presented "Maximizing Ancestry.com" to 26 attendees on Saturday, 10 March at Bonita-Sunnyside Library.
She had three main topics:
a) Getting more out of Ancestry.com -- by paying for it (even for only a month at a time), having a public Ancestry Member Tree as "cousin bait," attaching records and photos to persons in your tree, syncing your Family Tree Maker (FTM) file with your Ancestry tree, and using mobile apps on readers, tablets or smart phones in order to update Ancestry Member Tree data and create interest with relatives.
b) Research your ancestors -- especially in online Newspapers (announcements, obituaries, human-interest articles, etc. - glimpses into your ancestor's life), Directories (find residences, occupations, relatives, living persons) and Maps (farm/home locations, see neighbors) on Ancestry.com. This information can provide "breakthroughs" and add "family history" information to ancestral families.
c) Collaborate with others -- Invite others to see and contribute to your tree as a Guest or Contributor, use the Ancestry MemberConnect and "confidential" message features.
Myrna noted that she has been contacted many distant family members because of her Ancestry Member Tree, and has found many photographs on the Trees of distant cousins. She noted that a benefit of using the Family Tree Maker sync to Ancestry Member Trees is that the user has the attached document images in their FTM file, and can create reports and charts. They can also standardize locality data, merge duplicate persons, and correct other data errors easily in FTM, then sync it back to the Ancestry tree.
She had three main topics:
a) Getting more out of Ancestry.com -- by paying for it (even for only a month at a time), having a public Ancestry Member Tree as "cousin bait," attaching records and photos to persons in your tree, syncing your Family Tree Maker (FTM) file with your Ancestry tree, and using mobile apps on readers, tablets or smart phones in order to update Ancestry Member Tree data and create interest with relatives.
b) Research your ancestors -- especially in online Newspapers (announcements, obituaries, human-interest articles, etc. - glimpses into your ancestor's life), Directories (find residences, occupations, relatives, living persons) and Maps (farm/home locations, see neighbors) on Ancestry.com. This information can provide "breakthroughs" and add "family history" information to ancestral families.
c) Collaborate with others -- Invite others to see and contribute to your tree as a Guest or Contributor, use the Ancestry MemberConnect and "confidential" message features.
Myrna noted that she has been contacted many distant family members because of her Ancestry Member Tree, and has found many photographs on the Trees of distant cousins. She noted that a benefit of using the Family Tree Maker sync to Ancestry Member Trees is that the user has the attached document images in their FTM file, and can create reports and charts. They can also standardize locality data, merge duplicate persons, and correct other data errors easily in FTM, then sync it back to the Ancestry tree.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)